ISLAMABAD: Contrary to the spirit of its own tree plantation campaign, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has turned its back on dumping debris of demolished houses on greenbelts and open areas in H-8 by private contractors.

There is significant greenery along with open land in the sector but private contractors have been dumping the debris therein destroying beauty of the area.

Earlier, contractors used to throw debris along nullahs of this sector, but recently they have started throwing debris in the open areas.

During a visit to the site, Dawn noticed that in front of H-8 Commerce College, there is a newly dug road, leading towards Zero Point and hardly 400 feet away from the college where piles of debris have been dumped.

“On the one hand, we are focusing on tree plantation and on the other we failed to stop dumping of debris in the greenbelt,” said a CDA official. Piles of debris can also be seen dumped along I.J.P. Road and in nullahs of the city.

The official said earlier there was a timber mafia, land mafia and now a debris mafia is also emerging.

According to CDA rules, the building control section was the authorised department to approve demolition of old houses and reconstruction of new ones.

Officials from the civic agency said in most cases owners who violated their initial approved building plans did not bring the matter of new construction into the notice of the CDA to avoid fine and penalty.

Rather, they hire services of private contractors who not only demolished houses but also provided to owners services of firms operating tractor-trolleys and trucks to shift debris out of the city.

However, later on these firms due to negligence or involvement of the environment wing throw debris in abandoned areas.

When contacted, Environment Director Akhtar Rasool said he would look into the matter.

“I recently took responsibility of this wing, let me assure you we will take action and no one would be allowed to throw debris on a greenbelt and in open area,” he said and added that he never ever allowed anyone to throw debris in green areas.

“I have no idea about the debris you are referring to, but I will visit there and we will shift it. Trees will be planted in this area,” he added. The CDA Environment Wing has been executing a spring tree plantation campaign in the entire city. Mr Rasool said trees will be planted in the area where debris is found, adding: “I will visit the sector H-8 and anyone found guilty will be taken to task.”

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2021